The sculpture entitled 'Seated' by Tschabalala Self was defaced on May 15, outside the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, Sussex.
The artist behind a sculpture of a black woman facing out to sea says she's "disheartened" after vandals spray painted the artwork white.
The sculpture entitled 'Seated' by Tschabalala Self was defaced on May 15, outside the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, Sussex.
Hundreds of people joined the arts centre on Sunday, May 21, to restore the sculpture in an "act of peaceful resistance".
A statement on De La Warr Pavillion's website :
On Monday 15 May, Tschabalala Self’s public sculpture, Seated, was vandalised.
The sculpture, which has been temporarily installed outside the De La Warr Pavilion, is of a seated Black woman positioned looking out to sea. The perpetrator covered the entirety of the woman’s skin with white spray-paint.
In conversation with the artist, we have been considering what steps to take in order to protect the artwork and the wider impact of this act on our staff and communities. We have received considerable support in response to this vandalism and the sculpture will be uncovered so that the restoration is visible to everyone.
Image : Tschabalala Self: Seated, 2023, Installation view, De la Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea. Photography: Lineker Photography